Question:
I am five weeks post op and the scale is just not moving?

Can anyone please give me a suggestion, I am 5 weeks post op,eating very very little and the scale is creeping. I have only lost 28lbs. I eat no sugar, no fat, no starch and the protein does not really stay down. All I eat is,some cottage cheese for breakfast, some protein for lunch and soup for dinner, but the scale is so slow.Help?????? also I am still very very tired and with very little energy    — judy G. (posted on February 8, 2001)

February 8, 2001
You're not losing because you're not eating enough! (Bet no one ever told you THAT before.) Unless you eat and/or supplement, your body thinks it's stuck in a famine and holds onto stored fat as long as possible for an emergency energy supply. In fact, most or all of what you've lost so far is probably muscle. For best weight loss and long-term health, add at least 60 gm of pre-digested protein per day in servings of about 30 gm each. There are lots of suitable protein powders, and many are quite tasty (check out GNC or www.vitalady.com). Make sure you are taking a complete vitamin/mineral regimen, drinking at least 64 oz of water (don't drink with meals or for about an hour afterwards), and walking 2 miles a day (if you possibly can, whether you feel like it or not). And eat more -- mini-meals (1-2 oz) every 2-3 hours is probably best.
   — Linda B.

February 9, 2001
I would just like to add, that you must eat some fat. Your body needs some fat to function normally, so don't try to cut all fat out. My dr's office has said that we need 30-40 grams a day. I also hit my first plateau pretty early on...it lasted for almost 2 weeks...it was terrible. Just keep eating, drinking and exercising and eventually the scale will move. And, as hard as it might be, stay off the scale. I myself have become addicted to my scale. I'm trying to break myself of that habbit, and only allow myself to weigh every other day....I'm working my way toward 1x per week. Good Luck!
   — tlg6056

February 9, 2001
Hi Judy, I know exactly how you feel! I am 7 weeks post-op and have been stuck at 30lbs. off for over 2 weeks now. Sugar has not crossed my lips and I eat 1/2 cup meals 3 times a day. If I get hungry in between breakfast and lunch, I eat two crackers. I, too am so discouraged! I hope you find the answers to your plateau and I can be helped by it too. Good Luck.
   — Judy G.

March 2, 2003
We are going to hit platues during our weight loss. We need to stay off the scale, because if we're walking our two miles a day like we're suppose to we will be building muscle. And if we are building muscle we are burning fat. If we're not walking we will be losing muscle because muscle will burn before the fat does. We need to be careful of all dairy products because they have hidden sugars in them. Sugar and cheeses will slow or stop our weight lose and in the first 4 to 6 months is our biggest weight drop. So if we have hit a platue we need to get out and walk more and please try to stay off the scale, go by how your clothes are feeling. You will also have more energy if you walk more and eat protein first. We need to have a well balanced meal of protein mixed with complex carbohydrates. If the scale isn't moving and your hungry check the amount of simple carbohydrates you are comsuming and if your craving sugar your not walking.
   — Tori D.